Manganese ore systems: a Canadian perspective on a critical element in the transition to a sustainable green economy within North America

Manganese is a critical metal for modern economic development. Over 85% of manganese is used in the production of steel, where, as a desulphurizing agent, it is an essential additive in all steelmaking, and as an alloying agent it makes a range of specialty steels. Additionally, it has significant uses in fertilizer, animal feed, rubber, glass, unleaded gasoline, ceramics, and paints. Currently over 80% of manganese ore comes from a few mines in Africa and Australia, but its production is facing two potential paradigm shifting developments over the next decade: the potential extraction of manganese nodules from the ocean floor; and within the transition to a green economy as a component for electric vehicle batteries. Herein we present the first national inventory of Canada’s manganese occurrences in 90 years. While Canada has no current production, it does contain many occurrences, though most are too small to be viable operations. Presently, the deposits most suitable for mining are in the Woodstock area, New Brunswick. Not only are these relatively large tonnage and high grade, but their mineral composition also makes them more suitable for electric vehicle batteries than most currently mined manganese ore or, potentially in the future, from seafloor mining of manganese nodules.